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PRO -MEXICO 



Study of Mexican Music, Art and Literature 

Urged in Women's Clubs of 

California 



Propaganda, Initiated with the ultimate aim 

of uniting American and Mexican 

Club Women 



Originated by 
Vidloria Mugarrieta Shadburne 

(Mrs. Geo. D. Shadburne, Jr.) 
September 15, 1917 



Copyrighted 1919 



PRO-MEXICO 



study of Mexican Music, Art and Literature Urged in 
Women's Clubs of California 

Sept. 15, 1917 

(Delivered April 19, 1919, Ball Room, Fairmont Hotel Program, 
Tenochtitlan Association, before an audience of over 1000.) 

For many years it has been my contention that more of the 
beauties of Mexico should be exploited among our people. More 
of her musical cutlure, lier great art, lier splendid music should 
be discussed. 

How many present this evening have observed that on tlie 
programs of all places of amusement we read the names of the 
composers of the nations that are advanced in the art of music, 
and how many can recall having read the name of any one of 
Mexico's great writers? Occasionally we come across a little 
danza or a folk song, but how often clo we hear the rendition of 
one of Pedro Ogazon's masterpieces or one of Carillo's or Villa- 
nueva's symphonies, or any one of their numerous beautiful 
overtures or a selection from some of their entrancing zarzuelas? 
How many have heard of Elurduoy, Ricardo Castro, Alfredo 
Carasco, Martinez and numberless others? How many know 
that the masters in Europe concede that the Mexicans are the 
greatest interpreters of music? That theirs is a talent not re- 
stricted to certain groups, but that it is national in its scope. 
How many know that Mexico has given to the world some of the 
greatest singers and musicians? That it is a fact that these 
celebrities received their musical education in Mexico's conser- 
vatory of music, and that the famed teachers in Europe have 
expressed admiration for Mexico's splendid knowledge of the 
higher class of music. Do we realize how little we know of 
her art in general ? How many are familiar with any one of the 
|)aintings of Unzueta, Del Valle, Herran, Gedovius, Izaguirre? 
Do we know that one of the greatest masters is Joaquin Clausel, 
a Mexican? This prevailing condition is one of the reasons for 
the existence of this organization. . . . While it is not con- 
sidered good form to discuss "ego," it will be necessary to do so 
this evening in order to mention two more reasons that have 
brought this group of enthusiasts together. 

First — As the daughter of one of Mexico's great patriots, one 
of the pioneers of the Liberal movement, an officer in the 
Mexican army for 40-odd years, founder of the constitutional 
consulate in this city, aid de camp and secretary to most of the 
Generals and some of the Presidents of the Liberal Party of 
those days, a humanitarian in principles, a man who was noted 
for his great mentality, his keen sense of justice, his philan- 
trophy, who was known as "El Gran Patriota," and "El Padre 
de los Pobres," and who met a tragical death in this city, a 
martyr to the cause he so loyally supported. 

My father, Jose Marcus Mugarrieta, was the son of one of 
Mexico's most haughty f£\ijiilies, who were of the old rigid type 

^"' . • OCT 27 1913 ©CIA 533821 



yk-v 



ill their beliefs of class separation. Possessed of broad demo- 
cratic ideals, and deploring the narrowing systems of those days, 
he decided to assist the liberal movement, therefore it was not 
long before he became estranged from all that was near and 
dear to him. Imbued with his teachings and remembering his 
philanthropic purpose, his self-sacrifice, I determined to do all 
in my power to fulfill the lessons he taught me, and have there- 
for dedicated this, my labor of love, to my honored father's 
memory. The last and most important reason is to find an 
avenue through which the Americans and Mexicans can meet on 
a more sociable and more understandable basis.. Realizing that 
much of the erroneous opinion about our Sister Republic is due 
to not understanding the fundamental causes that have kept that 
country in a state of weary unrest for so many years, and 
realizing that the foremost characteristic of the true American 
is his love of fair play, I planned to find a means of assisting (at 
least a little) those groups of patriotic Americans who through- 
out various parts of our nation are endeavoring to establish the 
truth, and to retain a just and friendly attitude with our neigh- 
bors on the other side of the Rio Grande. 

1 conceived the idea of appealing to the women's clubs, and 
in October of 1917, I submitted my plan to a group of the presi- 
dents of various of our organizations. Miss Margaret Curry, at 
that time president of California Club, was the tirst to sponsor 
the movement, then followed Mrs. Richard Rees, with whose 
assistance we shaped our first public program. One year ago, 
under the auspices of Forum Club, the newly organized 
Tenochtitlan Association presented its first real Mexican day. 
Supported by the co-operation of this splendid body of women, 
and assisted by the patriotic members of the club (composed of 
Americans and Mexicans), the inspiration came to life and be- 
came a reality, an active body of men and women determined 
to do all in their power to assist in the propaganda of all that 
is good and beautiful about Mexico. 

It is through a knowledge of our Sister Republic's music, art 
and literature that we hope to create a desire to look deeper into 
the souls of these people, to learn to comprehend their suffering, 
their gigantic struggle, their inspired patriotism, their unswerv- 
ing determination to establish all those humanitarian principles 
and privileges which are enjoyed by a nation like ours where 
Democracy reigns supreme! Tonight establishes a new epoch in 
the history of our relations with our citizens who have come 
among us from the other side of the border — south of us. We 
hope that our re-union tonight of Mexicans and Americans under 
one roof, united for an evening of pleasure, will be the first link in 
an eternal chain of friendship, reaching from Soul of America to 
Alma de Mexico, over which will be transmitted forevcrmorc 
messages of encouragement, of amity, of sympathy, of under- 
standing with all our sister republic's efforts to establish only 
what we enjoy. 

_ , - , , _ Three 



PAGEANT AND TEXT 



Program and Pageant rvith text, introduced as a means of demonstrating 
Mexican music, art, and native dances, and of visualizing one of the causes 
of Mexico's stupendous struggle for the establishment of Democratic principles. 

Characters — Mexican 
La Justicia 
Alma dc Mexico 
La Poblana 
Esclava Madre 
Esclavo Peon (her son) 

Estrella de la nueva Esperanza (sj^mbolizing the new genera- 
tion) 
Diosas de Libertad (Champions of Democracy) 

Characters — American 
Soul of America 
Uncle Sam 
Miss Columbia 
(ioddesses of Liberty (Defenders of Democracy) 

Episode I. 

"La Poblana," driven desperate through ages of oppression and subjuga- 
tion, no longer able to witness the sufferings of her "Esclava Madre" and 
"Esclavo Peon," her brother, manages to escape and seeking "Alma de 
Mexico," enlists her sympathy. She flees to the temple of "La Justicia" to 
implore aid in her determination to liberate her people from their thralldom. 
At the feet of the unhappy "Esclava Madre," who is weighted with the 
dreadful yoke of cruel tyianny, is prostrated the pitiful form of her son, 
"Esclavo Peon." His tottering footsteps are withheld from the paths of 
•enlightenment and advancement by the shackles and chains of ignorance and 
want. "Alma de Mexico," aroused to the depths, summons her "Diosas de 
Libertad" (Champions of Democracy) and assure "La Poblana" their pro- 
tetcing strength and support. 

Episode IL 

Alma de Mexico, assisted by Diosas de Libertad, succeeds in freeing 
Esclava Madre and Esclavo Peon from their cruel situation of misery and 
suffering. Uplifted, safe in the loving arms of Alma de Mexico, La Poblana 
sees freedom and opportunity offered to her people. Esclava Madre, grate- 
fully and fervently clasps her son to her heart and at last the Portals of 
Democracy are opened wide, offering encouragement, equality and brotherly 
love. 

Episode IIL 

Attended by "Uncle Sam" and "Miss Columbia," Soul of America having 
fought the same battle, rejoices in friendly sympathy, that Alma de Mexico 
— alone — guided solely by the never-failing wisdom of La Justicia, has suc- 
ceeded in her ages-old struggle, and at last establishes an enduring democ- 
racy for her people. They demonstrate their joy and happiness in song and 
dance and lovingly intermingle their national hymns. La Justicia, breaking 
an ancient custom, removes the bandage from her eyes, that she may wit- 
ness the happiness and joy wrought by her wisdom. Descending from her 
Golden Throne of Love, in her Empire of Starry Skies, enters Estrella de la 
Nueva Esperanza, radiating Hope, Ambition, Development, Advancement 
and Progress. 

Episode IV. 

With hands clasped. Soul of America and Alma de Mexico are at last 
friends for eternity, and 

Grand Tableaux 

Pour 



RESOLUTIONS 



Framed March, 1918 (though much revised) were presented by courtes); 
of California Club to the State Federation of Women's Clubs, during con- 
vention held in Oal^land, March, 1918. They roere passed and accepted. 

Whereas, It is plainly demonstrated that the American club 
women do not know or understand the truth regarding economic 
conditions in Mexico, either past or present, and that authentic 
literature is difficult to obtain, 

Whereas, The stupendous work of reformation in Mexico is 
being carried on with marvelous success, notwithstanding the 
terrific and incomprehensible opposition, from those who should 
be in perfect sjaiipathetic and intelligent understanding with our 
Sister Republic's hopes, aspirations, ambitions, aims, desires, in- 
born characteristics. 

Whereas, The new woman of Mexico, in her awakening, is 
one of the wonders of the epoch, nobly assisting in the battle 
for, and subsequent victory of the group of heroes, who have 
so consistently fought for the establishment of the true ideals of 
Democracy in their country. 

Whereas, The women of Mexico are in complete sympathy 
and understanding with their sisters of the universe, who are 
struggling for recognition and equal rights in all matters that 
appertain to the welfare of humanity. 

Whereas, The women of Mexico have in these last few years 
organized over 10,000 strong, and are proving such a wonderful 
assistance in the restoration of their country, 

Whereas, The women of Mexico are at this moment organiz- 
ing their Third National Congress in the City of Mexico, 

Whereas, it is imperative that the truth of the Mexican situation 
be spread thruout our republic in the quickest manner possible. 
Resolved, That for all these reasons, we, the club women of 
California, extend to our sister club women of Mexico, our moral 
support, inasmuch, as we have been, and are struggling for the 
same ideals that they are, 

Resolved, That we, the club women of California, extend to 
our sister club women in Mexico, a sincere and cordial invitation 
to be our guests on a tour through our United States of America, 
a club or clubs in each city they visit to act as their hostesses, 
Resolved, That we, the club women of California, take imme- 
diate action to interest our sisters of the various clubs through- 
out the nation to begin at once the necessary steps toward the 
successful culmination of this project. 

Resolved, That we, the club women of California, stand 
sponsor only for what is equitable and just, regarding our near- 
est neighbor. 

Resolved, That we, the club women of California, feel that 
this is the surest and quickest method of bringing about a more 
intelligent and co-operative basis of understanding between the 
two nations. 

Resolved, That we, the club women of California, deem it our 
patriotic duty to support and encourage all movements which 
are for the uplil'tment and improvement of these misunderstood 
and oppressed people. 

Five 



From an Editorial in "Hispano-America" written bj' Julio Arcc 
and Translated by Mrs. G. D. Shadburnc, Jr.) 



The imperial elements in the United States, that never cease 
in their purpose to create deep resentment between Americans 
and Mexicans, have hatched an iniquitous proceeding, an out- 
rageous attempt to radically create a racial misunderstanding 
regarding the Mexicans. 

We refer to the dictatorial command, issued by unknown 
authority, in several towns situated in Southern California; the 
Mexican children have been sent to negro schools, and their 
families restricted to the districts assigned to negroes, and both 
have been subjected to prohibitive and humiliating treatment. 
We say, that it is the imperial groups in this country, or their 
subservient satellites, that plot these wanton insults, because, we 
are absolutely convinced that the true American, the American 
who respects the ideals of his country, the American who would 
light to the finish for the preservation of the great moral prin- 
ciples on w^hich the constitution of this nation w^as founded, and 
who form the great majority of its population, among whom are 
largely numbered the producing and laboring class, and who 
possess for the Mexicans ortly fraternal sentiments and cordial- 
ity; because, we are perfectlj'^ aware that the systematic propa- 
ganda of aversion and rancor against Mexico is hatched in Wall 
Street — and in the palatial residences of the magnates, who are 
greedily seeking to wrest the wealth of our soil; because, we 
are sure that the melting pot of intrigue is here, on this side of 
the Rio Bravo, and is the finished product of the frenzied inter- 
ventionist, of that group, who would place a tutelage over 
Mexico, solely for the purpose of exploiting her treasures and 
who would destroy altruistic aims, the highest sentiments of 
Democracy, and the efforts towards a permanent pacification of 
the country. Noble, humanitarian sentiments have been crushed 
in the souls of the powerful, corruption and wicked intrigue are 
their masters. The deliberate intention of creating difficulties 
and resentments, by seeking the meanest manner in which to 
hurt the Mexicans, is depicted in the disparaging article of some 
periodicalist or the caluminating moving picture, or with deeds 
such as is now being denounced by the Mexican Consuls; this 
culminating outrage, attempting to establish a difference of 
races. But^ — we repeat that this is not the will of the American 
public, this is not the labor of the great representative masses, 
who breathe only lofty principles of brotherly love and equality; 
but, that it is the audacious work of the perfidious, who make 
it a business of commercializing the honor of individuals and of 
nations, reaping their harvest from each conflict that arises. And 
the danger of increasing friction grows daily, because the men 
who, by reason of their interests, would force an intervention in 
Mexico, have at their beck and call servile puppets, eternal 
adulators of magnates, wdio in exchange for patronizing smile 
and an ill-gotten recompense pursue their campaign of prejudice 

Six 



and misunderstanding, feeling that they are supported by the 
powerful and by peridicals such as Hearst and other potentates 
dominate. 

It cannot be denied that a large percentage of the wrongs 
practiced against Mexico emanate from "the Elite" — that cal- 
culating and preverse group — who foment revolutions on the 
frontier, as far away as posible from the central government and 
as near as they dare to where they know that they can find plenty 
of co-operation in their sinister efforts, and whose voices are the 
loudest in their complaints and who hypocritically assume an air 
of terror at the results of their own villainous work; they care- 
fully select all that is bad, all the claudicant, that we may have 
within our communities (just the same conditions that exist in 
cities all over this earth) to exhibit to the world — augmented, 
exaggerated, iniquitously distorted; the group that concentrate 
all their resources and that employ all their political, financial 
and diplomatic influences in one mighty effort to accelerate a 
speedy intervention, which would be for the benefit of only a 
few. 

In those who have revolutionized equally against Diaz — or 
Madero— or Carranza— we find the "professional" riot maker, 
principally clients of Wall Street— and if we could glance into 
the books of the powerful "Senores" who in Mexico exploit 
mines, lands and industries, and whose center of operations is 
here, we would succeed is discerning the secret, that is already 
beginning to be voiced about, of the manner in which arms and 
ammunition have been provided for every uprising that has been 
launched against the Mexican Government. 

We are compelled to speak plainly, that it may be clearly 
understood where the wrong hes, so that all that harbor doubts 
or that might be deceived by misconstrued reports, shall clearly 
comprehend that all that is plotted against Mexico and the 
Mexicans is a perfectly systematized plan; and if today is made 
an attempt to estabhsh an odious color distinction of race, sub- 
jected to a program of unqualified aggressions, it is because 
those who have carefully engineered the blow, know full well 
that our people will feel the profoundest and deepest indignation 
at such an entirely uncalled for and humiliating outrage; and 
thus the enormous seed of dissention is sowed to fructify discord 
between nations which should be united. 

But we repeat, the situation must be clearly understood that 
the American public be not blamed for the labors of a few 
scheming plotters and usurers, to whom Mexico and the United 
States could most fittingly apply that chastising vibrant phrase 
by Gambetta ! Voila I'Encmie ! 

Seven 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



UP-TO-DATE PLAGIARISM ''^ 017 503 403 4^ 

The power of individual influence, acquired by usiirpin^i? Hie 
efforts of the originator of some new thought, is a i)ernieions 
habit practiced by a considerable number of people, noticeably 
among politicians. 

Would it not be more noble to assist those who indicate their 
ability to delve to the depths of a problem and capably provide 
a solution? We are all talking Democracy, and what is the first 
attribute of this great principle? Justice, but not a misinter- 
l)reted justice, which changes its coat as rapidly as a chameleon, 
according as the case may be. Some of us feel very dcejily on 
this subject for wc know that selfishness is at the root of all 
injustice. While we have had marvelous demonstrations of 
divine unselfishness, we are far from being liberated from the 
deadly tentacles of that greatest of human weaknesses. For 
instance an originator of an idea that is good, and perhaps great, 
has certainlv intelligence sufficient to have framed in his or her 
mind a completed picture of the new-born thought. Would it 
not be more generous to asist in developing that which would 
be for the common good of all? Would it not be more just to 
oflFer brotherly co-operation wdth the efforts of an eager soul 
anxious to do something really worth while? Why suppress 
intelhgent inspirations? Give to each the just credit of his or 
her original thought; encourage original ideas, by giving jiroper 
recognition to their author. Let us begin to stamp out the 
present-day system of "Get an ear full." Let us make it "Get a 
heart full !" Let us offer encouragement to all those with whom 
we come in contact, that express new, uplifting ideas. Let those 
who possess powerful or influential friends, use their elements 
in behalf of the author of a noble plan. Do not snatch the efforts 
of an ambitious mind and introduce them to your group as your 
own. We are told that one of Mark Twain's most admirable 
characteristics was, that he scorned to use, even in the most 
subtle manner, the smallest new thought of another. Resides, 
the purloiner of other people's ideas injures himself in the end, 
for he retards his own mental and spirtual development. 

"Think for ih'^selj one good idea 

Bui I(noTvn to be thine orvn 
Is better than a thousand gleaned 

From fields b^ others sown." 

Let this beautiful thought be our slogan and let us encourage 
and not suppress new inspirations. The world needs them! 
(Mrs. Geo. D. Shadburnc, Jr.) 



TELEGRAPH PRESS. S. F. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 508 403 4 



